Signs of Snake Bite:

If your dog has suffered a snake bite, initially your dog may show signs of sudden collapse, vomiting, trembling, salivation and excessive panting. It is possible that your dog may also appear normal.
Within approximately thirty minutes of being bitten, your dog may start to show symptoms of paralysis, weakness, wobbly legs, dilated pupils, difficulty with breathing and possibly blood in the urine.
Remember that it may take several hours for all the symptoms to become apparent.
Sometimes your dogs can die with no symptoms.

How do I find the bite area?

It is rare to find the site of the bite. As previously mentioned, dogs may not show all the signs that are listed above, as the time frame from envenomation (bite) to symptoms depends on where the dog was bitten e.g. face or foot. It will also depend on the amount of venom injected into the dog by the snake, and the number of times the dog was bitten.
After hibernation, when the snake is full of venom is a very dangerous period. The reason for this is that it is unlikely that the snake has fed and therefore the venom in the snake is more potent than when the snake is returning to hibernation.
If you suspect your dog has been bitten, get him to the vet as soon as you can. Snake bite can also appear as poisoning which also needs urgent attention if the dog is to survive.

Diagnosing a snake bite:

The vet will have an index of suspicion based on history and the clinical symptoms at the time your dog is presented.

There are several tests that assist in diagnosing snake bite:
Two of these tests are performed initially:

1. Activated Blood Clotting Time (ACT) determines whether your dog's blood clots normally: usually 75-120 seconds.
A prolonged ACT suggests that your dog has had a significant dose of snake venom and will require treatment. The ACT is also used to monitor your dog's response to treatment.

2. CPK: This measures muscle damage. Often dogs bitten by Tiger snakes have a marked elevation in CPK, whereas Brown snakes may only cause a mild CPK elevation.

If these tests are negative it does not necessary rule out snake bite especially if symptoms and history are suggestive.

Hospitalize and recheck CPK and ACT in two hours.

This is done only if your dog is clinically normal at the time of presentation.
Remember the symptoms of snakebite may take several hours to appear.
A Snake Venom Detection Kit (SVDK) tests urine or blood to detect the presence of venom in the dog, and will also determine what type of snake has bitten the dog.
Unfortunately this test is expensive, so it is used when the dog is showing some symptoms of snake bite but the ACT and CPK are normal.

Treatment:

Snakebite is a very serious condition in any dog and despite intensive and aggressive therapy they may still die. Unfortunately, treatment for snake bite is very expensive.

Initially, the dog is put on an intravenous drip, and then given the antivenom. The amount of antivenom depends on how severally affected the dog is. Often dogs will require 1-2 vials initially.
If your dog has trouble breathing he will be placed on a ventilator. Tiger snake venom paralyses the respiratory nerves and damages the muscles, which makes it painful for the dog to breathe. The aim of the ventilator is to rest the dog while the antivenom takes affect.
The dog is also administered pain relief.
If the ACT was prolonged on admission it will be retested in two to three hours after the administration of the antivenom. If it is still prolonged the dog should be given another vial of antivenom.
The dog is also rechecked for its CPK and ACT in 6-8hours to ensure that the dog does not require more anitvenom. If the CPK has increased markedly, and your dog still shows signs of snake bite, it is a sign that your dog will require more antivenom.

The amount of antivenom administered to your dog may vary as it is based on an assessment of the ACT and CPK, coupled with the dogs' response to therapy. A dog may require one or several vials in order to be successfully treated.

Common Complications in Snake Bites:

Myopathy:

This is the break down of muscle which is a result of snake venom, especially in tiger snake bites. This will cause pain, respiratory failure, weakness and kidney failure. Myopathy can occur within one month of treatment for snake bite if the dog is not strictly cage confined.

Reoccurrence of symptoms of snake bite:

Despite adequate antivenom administration, the dog may require more antivenom 1-3 days later as it absorbs more snake venom from the bite.

After Care:

Upon the dog being discharged from Vetinary care, the dog must be strictly caged and confined. The reason for this is to prevent the development of myopathy. If an owner is successful in reaching this point, the dog has a very good chance of survival. However if the dog is not strictly nursed and confined the chances of survival at this point are greatly decreased.

Common Snakes in Victoria:

Most snake bites in Victoria are due to either the Brown Snake or Tiger Snake. Whip Snakes and Red Belly Black Snakes occasionally result in envenomination. As a rule Tiger snakes live by water ways and are common in Eltham. Brown snakes however, are more common away from water and will therefore be found in places like Kilmore. Red Belly Black snakes are black with a red belly. Contrary to popular belief you cannot tell a Tiger Snake from a Brown Snake based on skin colour or skin patterns. The only way to identify the species of snake is by counting the dorsal scales and examining the anal plate.

WE DO NOT RECOMMEND YOU DO THIS.

Although Tiger and Brown Snake venom vary in their effects on your dog, the same antivenom is used to treat all snake bites in Victoria. This is called a combined Tiger/Brown snake antivenom.